THE owners of Dunsfold Park have launched a High Court challenge over a planning appeal decision that ruled out the airfield’s use for unrestricted aviation.

Rutland Group chief executive Jim McAllister said the company was going to court in order to clarify a number of issues in the decision by planning inspector Rod Evans.

The decision to seek to persuade a High Court judge to overturn Mr Evans’ verdict, which supported the view of Waverley Borough Council, has angered the authority, which announced that it would "support the government" in defending the case.

Dunsfold Park Limited had sought a certificate of lawfulness of existing use to lift all restrictions on aircraft movements, flight times and aircraft.

The issue went to appeal after the borough council rejected the company’s application and, after a week of hearing evidence, Mr Evans ruled in April that Waverley had been correct in its decision.

The authority’s planning portfolio holder, Councillor Bryn Morgan, said: “It is really disappointing this issue is being dragged out even further and Waverley intends to assist the government in defending the High Court proceedings.

“Extensive research was carried out by Waverley before making its original decision and costly legal representation was then required at the appeal where an inspector supported our findings.

“I had hoped that following the conclusive findings of the appeal inspector we could work together with Dunsfold to agree uses for all parts of the site.

“The inspector made it very clear that the 1951 planning permission is the permanent permission for Dunsfold Park and this does not include the use of the airfield, either by itself or as part of the wider aerodrome, for unrestricted aviation activities.

“Waverley will be looking to develop specific policies for Dunsfold in the core strategy, which was consulted on recently. For the park it would support any plans they have for the businesses in the future and for the local community this would hopefully avoid unacceptable impacts and reduce unnecessary anxiety.

“However, with another legal battle looming, it would seem clear future uses for the site, and certainty for the surrounding community, remain a long way off,” he added.

Reacting to the council’s comments on the High Court appeal, Mr McAllister said: “We must make it clear that we are not in dispute with the council, with whom we look forward to working with to find a solution for the future of Dunsfold aerodrome.

“Our appeal to the High Court is against the inspector’s decision where we need to clarify some issues which remain unresolved.

“As the inspector and the borough council have agreed, however, the site’s long-term future has been clarified as both have confirmed that the airfield will revert in 2018 to the manufacture, repair and flight testing of aircraft without restriction or condition,” he added.